Tips For Writing Reference Letters

Tips For Writing Reference Letters :

Here are few Tips For Writing Reference Letters.

1. When writing a reference letter, you should not include any negative remarks/ criticism or defamatory comments about the person for whom you are writing the reference as this could constitute libel. If you have nothing good to say about a person. if is better to simply decline to write a reference letter or say anything at all.

2. Everyone has at least one or two good qualities. While writing reference, mention those qualities.

3. If your company has system/policies for managers or senior executives to write referrnce letter for employees or ex-employees, follow the procedure adopted by the company. Most such companies, for instance, require reference letters to be approved by the HR department.

4. If you need a reference from your employer, it sometimes helps to draft one yourself for your manger or the HR department. Many managers do not have the time or are unsure about what to write, so ask if a draft reference letter would be helpful.

5. If the addressee is not known or the reference letter is required for general purposes, use ‘To whomsoever it may concern’, instead of ‘Dear Sir or Madam’. Obviously, if the addressee is known, then use the full name and address as this will increase the professionalism and there by the credibility of the letter.

6. Character reference letters should always be dated and to the point.

The overall quality of the reference letter reflects directly on the person that the letter referes to. Ensure you are acting without your authority if you are writing on behalf of an organization using the official letterhead. If, as manager, you wish to give a reference but are not permitted to do so by your organization - which is very unusual - you might consider providing one in personal capacity on your own private letterhead.

For all requests for writing reference letters, remember the maximum, ‘if you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything bad’. The extent, to which you praise the person in a reference letter, depends on your own personal feelings. If you want to help the prison a lot, then do so. Well-written, positive reference letters can be very helpful indeed.